Thursday, February 26
Microdistillery planned for downtown Whitefish
Another microdistillery and tasting room is planning to open in Whitefish.
Whitefish deer freed from bailing twine
A whitetail buck that has been wandering around Whitefish has been freed from the bailing twine that was wrapped around its neck along with its shed antlers.
Tuesday, February 24
Whitefish man denies strangling girlfriend
A Whitefish man is denying charges that he strangled his girlfriend to the point of unconsciousness after an argument.
Man admits to punching police chief
A Columbia Falls man has admitted to punching the Whitefish police chief in the nose during a Halloween scuffle.
Campaign launched to support Haskill land deal
Supporters a conservation easement in Haskill Basin launched a campaign last week to promote a ballot measure on the issue.
City considers year-round skating at Ice Den
The ice season at Stumptown Ice Den will be extended this year and Whitefish City Council has agreed to look into keeping the facility open for year-round skating.
No. 3 Dogs face Polson in divisional opener
The Whitefish boys basketball enters the Northwest A divisional tournament as the No. 3 seed after a tough 52-41 loss at Polson on Saturday.
Bircher reflects on 30 years as lift mechanic
Oly Bircher has a direct view of Big Mountain from his property up Haskill Basin. On a clear day, he can see the crossarms of Chair 1 glimmering in the sun as the lift spins thousands of skiers an hour to the summit.
Ski legends inducted into Hall of Fame
The Flathead Ski Heritage Center has announced the second class to be inducted into its Ski Hall of Fame. Honored this year are George Prentice, Karl Hinderman, Gary Tallman and Dale Evenson.
Lady Dogs No. 5 seed at divisional
The Whitefish girls basketball team enters the Northwest A divisional tournament this week as the No. 5 seed.
Iron Horse asked to redesign proposed 'welcome center'
Plans for a “welcome center” at the entrance to the Iron Horse neighborhood in Whitefish have been put on hold by Whitefish City Council.
Police calls: Intoxicated man finds his car
Protecting water a worthy investment
I am glad to see the City Council’s approval of a ballot initiative to use an increase in Whitefish’s resort tax to fund permanent conservation of lands in Haskill Basin.
Kirk Denis
Kirk Denis, 62, passed away on Feb. 10, 2015 of complications related to Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome. He left this world surrounded by his beloved sister and brother-in-law, and attended to by the caring staff of Montana State Nursing Home in Lewistown.
Don't forget the Canadian neighbors
We feel that Whitefish is our second home. We have been coming to the area for over 30 years and have been property owners for over 28 of those years.
Skaters rally for year-round ice
A few little girls with big dreams asked the city last week to help them fulfill their goals. The young ice skaters, along with a few of their parents, told City Council why they would like to have the ice season extended at the Stumptown Ice Den.
Flathead Classic sled dog race this weekend
The Flathead Classic Sled Dog Race is Saturday, Feb.28 and Sunday, March 1 in Olney. Races start at 10 a.m. on Saturday and 9 a.m. on Sunday.
Lawrence "Larry" W. Powell, Jr.
Lawrence "Larry" W. Powell, Jr., 68, passed away after an extended illness with his family by his side.
BNSF Railway should be a good neighbor
Thank you so much for the timely article (Pilot Feb. 11) on the Birch Point railroad crossing.
The Wave celebrates 10 years with weekend of events
The Wave fitness center in Whitefish is celebrating its 10th anniversary this Friday and Saturday with a full slate of events.
Trust of Public Land names new director
The Trust for Public Land has announced Dick Dolan as its Northern Rockies Director.
Fusion win U14 girls hockey state championship
The Kalispell-Whitefish Fusion hockey team won its first U14 Girls State Championship Sunday with a 3-1 win over the Missoula Lady Bruins.
Thursday, February 19
Fuller returns to coach Whitefish volleyball
The most decorated volleyball coach in Whitefish High School history is returning to lead the Lady Bulldogs once again.
Wednesday, February 18
Gail Mercelle Boveng
Gail Mercelle Boveng “completed her final chapter of life” Friday, Feb. 13, 2015, surrounded by family and friends.
Police arrest man in Whitefish after threats to schools
A 28-year-old man who recently moved to Kalispell was arrested at Whitefish Mountain Resort on Monday, Feb. 16, after threats he made to schools, students and Jews nearly shut down Flathead Valley schools the next day.
Tuesday, February 17
Council OKs vote on resort tax hike
Despite protests from business owners, Whitefish City Council approved a resolution Tuesday that will ask voters to approve a 1 percent increase in the city resort tax.
Foundation launches new fundraising challenge
Whitefish Community Foundation’s flock of rubber ducks has helped raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for local nonprofits over the past six years. But those cute quackers will soon be looking for a new home as the foundation retires its annual Duck Derby in favor of a new fundraising challenge.
WHS will always have my heart
In May of 2003, former Whitefish High School athletic director Megan Olson called to welcome me to the coaching staff, wishing me the best of luck with my first season as head coach. I hung up the phone absolutely humbled and honored with the opportunity to coach Bulldog soccer.
New townhouses planned for Edgewood Place
A new townhouse project is proposed for undeveloped land on Edgewood Place in Whitefish.
Hospital supports expanding healthcare coverage
One of the most important issues facing the 2015 Montana Legislature is how our state can work together to come up with a solution to provide affordable healthcare coverage for citizens in our communities.
Grizzlies baseball roster taking shape
A blanket of snow still covers the baseball diamond at Memorial Field, but the upstart Glacier Grizzlies roster already is beginning to take shape.
New wireless avalanche beacon park installed at ski resort
A new wireless avalanche transceiver practice park has been established at the summit of Whitefish Mountain Resort.
Whitefish hosts 20th Special Olympics Winter Games
Special Olympics Montana is celebrating its 20th consecutive year at Whitefish Mountain Resort as its winter games kickoff this weekend in Whitefish.
Whitefish Municipal Court log
Prestegaard makes podium at state wrestling
Whitefish wrestling senior Judah Prestegaard battled his way to a podium finish at the State A wrestling tournament last weekend in Billings to lead an impressive team performance.
Police calls: thief snags black bear painting
WHS drama presents 'All in the Timing'
The Whitefish High School Drama Club will perform David Ives’ classic “All in the Timing” Feb. 19-21.
Wolverines upset top-ranked Idaho
The Whitefish Wolverines pulled out an upset 6-1 victory Friday against the top-rated Idaho Steelheads.
North Valley Hospital wins top parade prize
North Valley Hospital was awarded the King's Award at the Whitefish Winter Carnival Grand Parade. Other Winter Carnival Grand Parade winners include:
Cats sink Dogs with hot shooting
Whitefish’s conference winning streak was snapped at three after running into hot-shooting Columbia Falls on Saturday.
Railway's historical impact on Glacier Park
Louis W. Hill was a major force behind the establishment and development of Glacier National Park. Yet his legacy is often largely overshadowed by his father, James J. Hill.
Haskill deal a 'no-brainer'
Over the past 60 years my professional attention has been focused on the two most immediate and required prerequisites for life: air and water. All else is “et cetera.”
Thank you to coach Byrd
Thanks Coach Byrd, I think it is safe to say I speak for numerous Whitefish families in thanking you for your many years of service to our soccer program.
Legislative boondoggles
The 2015 state legislature has had no shortage of boondoggles since gaveling in a month ago.
Renovations planned for Many Glacier Hotel
Renovation work at the Many Glacier Hotel will pick up again starting this fall.
Climate Ride planned for Glacier Park
Glacier National Park Conservancy has teamed up with Climate Ride for the first ever Glacier Ride this July.
WTC presents 'The Hobbit'
The Whitefish Theatre Company’s adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Hobbit” opens this week with a sneak preview night on Feb. 19 at 7:30 p.m. at the O’Shaughnessy Center in Whitefish.
Whitefish's Rep. Lieser sponsors five bills in Legislature
Democratic Rep. Ed Lieser says his second term in the state House of Representative has been productive as he works with familiar faces in the state Legislature.
Time to shelve the parking garage?
Thank you to Kevin Gartland (Pilot, Feb. 11) for voicing so clearly what so many of us are thinking.
Lady Dogs still looking for first league win
The Whitefish girls basketball team is still looking for its first conference win after a tough 78-22 loss to Columbia Falls on Saturday.
Bill names tree wells as inherent risk of skiing
The Montana Legislature has passed a bill that defines tree wells as one of the inherent dangers of skiing.
Monday, February 16
Swimmers cap debut season at state
The Whitefish swim team capped its debut season with a promising effort at the All-Class State meet last weekend in Missoula.
Water quality and the Taj-Ma-City Hall
The Taj-Ma-City Hall is back! The Whitefish City Council is about to prove yet again that liberal government far too often chooses to spend more instead of spend wisely.
Friday, February 13
Whitefish man denies downtown stabbing
A Whitefish man is denying charges that he stabbed another man after a late night argument in an alley behind a Central Avenue bar.
Crowd rallies to protect Whitefish's water
The fervor of the crowd at a town hall meeting Thursday in Whitefish was best seen in the blue stickers many wore marked with the phrase “protect our water.”
Bills to watch at state legislature
The legislature is one-third done with their business. Many bills have been tabled in committee with many good ones advancing through the process. Some you may want to watch at the www.leg.mt.gov site include:
Whitefish hospital to expand birth center
North Valley Hospital is kicking off a capital campaign to finish raising funds for a $1.5 million expansion of its Birth Center.
Tuesday, February 10
Local couple's griffon competes at Westminster
Lisa Durand already knows her dog Ziva is special, but the wirehaired pointing griffon will be on the world stage next week when she competes at the Westminster dog show in New York City.
WHS hits fundraising goal for greenhouse
Whitefish High School students in the FREEFLOW and environmental club have met their fundraising goal to build a greenhouse on the school campus.
Farrens resigns as girls soccer coach
Whitefish girls soccer coach Wendy Farrens has resigned from her post after four seasons leading the Lady Bulldogs.
Ski team soars at Big Sky speed races
The Whitefish Mountain Resort Race Team overcame high winds and difficult conditions to post strong results at the Lone Peak speed series in Big Sky last weekend.
Snowboarders raising funds for Nate Chute races
More than 120 snowboarders will converge at Whitefish Mountain Resort on March 21-22 for the annual Nate Chute races to benefit the NC Foundaiton.
Police calls: Exposed manhole could swallow child
Birch Point quiet zone effort revived
Whitefish City Council has renewed its commitment to help create a quiet zone at the Birch Point Drive railroad crossing.
Campus Views: Valentine's Day a chance for respect
With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, one Whitefish High School club is putting their own spin on the holiday.
Dogs send eight to state wrestling
Whitefish will send eight wrestlers to the State A tournament this weekend in Billings after a strong showing at the Northwest A Divisional tournament.
Don't pave paradise
Last week’s Pilot featured an extensive story on the proposed Downtown Master Plan update and pointed out that the update is scheduled to be reviewed by the City Council on Feb. 17.
Royaly send Carnival thanks
To all the loyal citizens of the realm, what an honor and a privilege it has been to have been chosen to represent this special community as the King and Queen of our just past Whitefish Winter Carnival LVI.
Kyle James Hibler
Kyle James Hibler was born on May 13, 1984 to Ken and Becky (Batz) Hibler in Longmont, Colo. He was an only child and was very much loved by his family and the many friends that he made during his lifetime. He was a caring and compassionate young man who loved people and animals and thrived on making people laugh.
County sets path for doughnut planning
Acknowledging there is still much work to be done before it’s finalized, the Flathead County commissioners on Feb. 2 accepted the Planning Board’s recommendations for proceeding with planning and zoning in the “doughnut” area around Whitefish.
Resort tax hike favored for Haskill deal
Whitefish voters will likely be asked this spring to approve an increase in the city’s resort tax to help fund the purchase of a conservation easement in Haskill Basin.
Boys vault to 2nd in league
Whitefish led from wire to wire to earn a 49-41 conference win at Libby on Friday.
Edward Johannes Prestegaard
Edward Johannes Prestegaard, 89, of Kalispell, went to be with his Lord in peace on Jan. 31, 2015 at the Kalispell Health Center Hospice. A funeral service was held Feb. 6 at Buffalo Hill Funeral Home with a graveside service at Glacier Memorial Gardens.
yieldMo WFP
Monday, February 9
How much is too much for City Hall?
As plans for the new Whitefish City Hall and downtown parking structure move closer to final approval and construction, the Board of Directors of the Whitefish Chamber of Commerce is concerned about the ever-increasing cost of the project, and about the wisdom of expending $15-20 million of economic development funds on a government edifice to be built on the most valuable piece of commercial real estate left in downtown Whitefish.
Byrd to coach Columbia Falls soccer team
Whitefish boys soccer coach O’Brien Byrd is swapping green and gold for red and blue.
Thursday, February 5
Chamber hosts neighborhood business meetings
The Whitefish Chamber of Commerce is hosting a series of neighborhood business meetings this month to discuss ways to make doing business in Whitefish easier and more profitable.
Kaltschmidt honored for community service
Don Kaltschmidt, owner of the Don “K” car dealership in Whitefish, was recently nominated for the prestigious Time Dealer of the Year award for his contributions to the community.
